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I recall about 15 years ago that I had a sudden (literally overnight) and rather sizeable swelling in my neck just below my right ear lobe. There was no pain or discomfort. The swelling was slightly pliable.

I, of course, saw my doctor. He did a few tests (including an aspiration--fine needle biopsy that did not return anything cancerous) and afterwards did not appear overly concerned. He said it can happen from time to time and that the causes can range from a number of things including a sore throat or ear infection. That was around the time when I switched to a different HIV med regimen which may have also contributed.

Take care.

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"He is my oldest child. The shy and retiring one over there with the Haitian headdress serving pescaíto frito."

Also, any infection can cause lymph nodes to swell. It is quite common in HIV infection and is usually not a major concern (however, you should still advise your physician about it).

However, if you have swelling that is only on say one side of your body. Like the lymph nodes in your neck. Say the left side swelled but the right didn't. That is more concerning and should be brought to the attention of your dr straight away. Lymphoma and other cancers that are common with those who are positive cause swelling of lymph nodes as well.

Guys thank you. It's not all that bad. Bug it's both sides and it's not that bad and it doesn't hurt in any way. I just read things here and there and heard it's common with HIV infections. It just feels like another one of those surprise m

Moments this brings. It's one thing to know you have this and even feel shitty from time to time it's another ( at least for me) to see a visible aspect. It's bringing me to tears. I just needed to vent and get this off my chest. Thanks for sharing. It helps

Moments this brings. It's one thing to know you have this and even feel shitty from time to time it's another ( at least for me) to see a visible aspect. It's bringing me to tears. I just needed to vent and get this off my chest. Thanks for sharing. It helps

I know that feeling. I remember the days of my Dx...I had molluscum contagious OI and wasting syndrome...seeing myself in the mirror with that skull face with a rash covering half of my face almost bring me to tears everytime, I felt like a monster back in the day. Sometimes I still feel like that, even today.

Back in year 2004 I had lymphoid under my left arms. I know I was positive but not under treatment. I went to the doctor and done the biopsy. They come up it was TB infection. I got treatment and get cured of the TB completely that time. So it is better you see your doctor and if needed you need to make a biopsy and determine what might cause it.

When lymph nodes swell, it means they're doing their job and staving off infection. It doesn't necessarily mean you have an active infection - they can swell a bit when they're getting rid of any pathogens from your body. It means they're doing what they're supposed to do.

I would caution you to not get into the habit of feeling them all the time to see if they're swollen. Poking and prodding them all the time can actually irritate them and make them swell, so keep your hands off. (we see this all the time in Am I)

Don't forget to mention it to your doctor - it never hurts to have something like this investigated. Most of the time it's like I said above and nothing to worry about, but once in a while it's something a little more serious. Don't panic though, just point it out to your doctor and see what he says.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Once again thanks guys and gals. Ann what do you mean by am 1? It doesn't scare me and I have a bad habit of not going to the doc. I don't want to waste the doc's time with stupid things. I guess I'm processing this like, if my numbers are so great there shouldn't be a reason to really worry. It's just bitch smack me like don't forget I'm here. I'm glad you said no touchy, because since it was pointed out to me by someone else I will admit I keep feeling them. But today after plenty of sleep last night I am now at the point, I don't care. I don't mean that as I give up, rather it's there and what will happen will happen.

'Am I' refers to the Am I Infected form. This is not, generally, cause for alarm. I, personally, would not make a special doc visit for this but I am screened/labs every three months. If you are getting screened/labs on a regular basis, I see no need for undue concern but in the end, if this bothers you, call your doc, after all, they are YOUR lymph-nodes

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Diagnosed in May of 2010 with teh AIDS.

PCP Pneumonia . CD4 8 . VL 500,000

TRIUMEQ - VALTREX - FLUOXETINE - FENOFIBRATE - PRAVASTATIN - CIALIS

Numbers consistent since 12/2010 - VL has remained undetectable and CD4 is anywhere from 275-325

The Am I Infected forum. People there read online about the alleged symptoms of seroconversion illness, see swollen lymph nodes listed, then proceed to obsessively check their nodes until they actually make them swell.

I agree, you don't need to make a special trip to the doctor over this. Just mention it next time, if you even remember. It may no longer be an issue at the forefront of your mind by then.

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts